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     Often, I see people dogmatically argue insignificant "religious" issues, and sadly I have done it as well. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.” If every believer lived by that rule, arguing would virtually disappear.      The term Christian has been badly misused in recent years. Anyone …

What is Fear?What is Fear's Purpose?What is Love?What is Love's Purpose?Fear is a feeling whose purpose is to alert us to potential danger. It's purpose is absolutely not to lead or motivate us! Fearful leaders lead people by fear. Even though fear can motivate, where it motivates, it also destroys. Fear destroys the person following it, while it uses them to hurt everyone around them. If we allow fear to lead our lives, we will do what is best for ourself without regard for others. W …

Reflecting back over my life, I know that “winning the Nationals was huge for me, but being able to be my best in the worst circumstances of my career and having the heart of a champion instead of a heart filled with fear was the most life-changing thing of all.“It blew my mind that after years of fighting to overcome my fear, doing everything I could to defeat it, giving up led to my freedom from fear—not giving up fighting but giving up fighting fear. Getting in the right fight.“For years, I s …

Why did God command Joshua, "to be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged."Answer: Because he was afraid and discouraged. God sent Moses into Egypt to end 400 years of slavery and to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, modern day Israel. After a 40-year journey, the Israelites were finally prepared to enter Canaan. Just days prior to entering Canaan, Joshua replaced Moses as the leader of Israel. To settle the land in peace, the …

Excerpts from “The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life” by John Kennedy VaughanPersevere in This Journey“I have heard it said that winners never quit and quitters never win, but so many winners have quit so many times along the way.“The greatest memories in any victory are the times we got back up after quitting. In my fifteen-year journey chasing my dream [of a national water-ski jump championship], the moment it came true may have been the best moment in the journey, but it was only a momen …

The only way to manipulate people is to convince them to believe a lie. The truth doesn’t manipulate anyone. It sets them free. Feelings are a powerful thing and they should not be ignored. Many times they lead us to truth, but more often than not, acting on them alone will lead to our own destruction. Following our feelings without seriously considering the truth will hurt everyone around us and destroy us. Don’t ignore your feelings, but please don’t follow them. Let them be a warning sign tha …

Self confidence is highly over rated. Nothing has cost me more than “self confidence”. It’s made me a fool many times and led me down paths of destruction that only humility and Jesus could save me from. If this doesn’t make sense please read The Right Fight! It’s the best of all I have to share and available on Amazon and are Shieldsofstrength.com Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direc …

What we go to sleep thinking about impacts how we rest and how we start tomorrow. Make a conscious effort to fall asleep grateful for the little things that are truly the big things. Just having a bed to sleep in is a blessing in itself. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Ps. 100:4-5 …

It’s God that does the healing but He needs us at some point to move on and trust Him. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Read this many times. It’s insane truth written by CS Lewis. Your real, new self (which is Christ's and also yours, and yours just because it is His) will not come as long as you are looking for it. It will come when you are looking for Him. Does that sound strange? The same principle holds, you know, for more everyday matters. Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you are making. Even in literature and ar …